Late Dallas goal hands Reserves second straight loss

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (Tuesday, March 20, 2012) –The Colorado Rapids lost to FC Dallas 1-0 in Reserve League action on Tuesday afternoon at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. Dallas’ Bryan Leyva scored the only goal of the game late in the match, dribbling past a Rapids defender before firing a shot to the far post from 15 yards out.

The Rapids had the best chance of the first half in the 28th minute. Wells Thompson got on a foot on a lobbed pass inside the area, but Dallas goalkeeper Chris Seitz had come out far and got a hand on it. The ball rebounded to Rapids trialist Kamani Hill, who hit a low shot toward the empty net only to see Dallas defender Matt Hedges slide to keep the ball from going in.

Dallas' best opportunity came right before the half when Luis Perea worked a quick give-and-go with Ruben Luna at the top of the box. Perea then tried to curl the ball low around Rapids goalkeeper Stew Ceus but shot just wide.

The visitors had an early chance to start the second half when Leyva received a pass from Moises Hernandez at the top of the six yard box but his shot went just wide of the far post. Leyva was dangerous twice more, once forcing a great save from second half 'keeper Ian Joyce, and then missing wide from close range.

Colorado had two decent chances late in the game. Steven Emory had a shot headed out for a corner kick by a diving Hernandez. Tyrone Marshall headed down the ensuing corner but FCD's Bruno Guarda cleared the ball off the line just minutes before Leyva scored.

With the Rapids pushing forward late, FCD nearly scored again but Luna's shot hit the right post and bounced across the goal mouth but not across the line. Trialist Edu had one final chance to equalize in stoppage time, but his shot from just inside the box to the far post was wide.

FC Dallas improves to 2-0 in Reserve League, while the Rapids fell in their second match of the season. The Rapids Reserves next face Chicago Fire Reserves on April 2 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, while FC Dallas will next take on the Houston Dynamo on April 10.